We’re a non-profit climate change think tank which uses data analysis to build evidence-based climate policy.
We focus on EU policies such as the EU ETS and the ‘Effort Sharing Regulation’, and emissions reductions in industrial sectors.
Recent reports
Now boarding for better climate action under EU ETS aviation rules
It’s a major year of reform for many aspects of the EU ETS, and aviation is no exception. The European Commission will soon decide how its key climate policy will interact with international attempts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from air travel. As the public...
Benchmarks and Free Allocation: Details reveal problems in the EU ETS
Sandbag is actively campaigning for changes to the EU ETS benchmarking system and an end to free allocation in the upcoming EU ETS reform. In the meantime, the current EU ETS remains in place. On the 1st January we entered into Phase IV of the EU ETS, and the European...
Times of change for the EU ETS: Sandbag’s feedback on the upcoming revision
In just one month, Phase IV of the EU ETS will start, bringing in many changes that were negotiated during past revisions of Europe’s carbon market. But even more changes are coming down the line, as the European Commission gets ready to present another EU ETS...
Sustainable Products Initiative: circularity requirements to drive industrial decarbonisation
When the European Commission launched the Circular Economy Action Plan in March 2020, it contained many ambitions to be worked out in future legislative projects. One of these is the Sustainable Products Initiative, which has the mammoth task of making the multitude...
Carbon Border Adjustments in the EU: who, what, when, why and how?
The public consultation on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is coming to a close. The European Commission has been collecting stakeholder opinions on one of its most talked-about policy projects: ensuring that imports to the EU are subject to the same carbon...
Seizing Romania’s Renewable Potential
While today Romania is still highly dependent on fossil fuels, the country has huge potential for renewable energy production. In the next decade, Romania can avail of significant funds to finance its energy transition. However, this potential is dependent on adequate...
Just Transition Fund: Moment of truth for European Parliament’s climate ambition
Sandbag has joined 64 civil society organisations from across Europe, calling on Members of the European Parliament to protect the integrity of the Just Transition Fund. This fund is intended to help EU Member States finance their transition to climate neutrality by...
EU ETS for aviation: on course for climate neutrality?
As the EU aims for climate neutrality by 2050, the aviation sector is lagging far behind in terms of climate action. Greenhouse gas emissions from aviation are increasing rapidly, and the sector receives many tax exemptions and state subsidies. Within Europe, the main...
UK ETS must learn from past mistakes
One among the many consequences of Brexit is the departure of the UK from the EU ETS. The UK will leave the EU’s carbon market in January 2021, and the UK government plans to set up an independent UK Emissions Trading Scheme on that date. Sandbag were asked by the...
Building the Transition: Sandbag’s Response to the Review of the Construction Products Regulation
The European Green Deal lays out a list of EU policies and legislation that need to be updated and brought in line with the 2050 climate neutrality goal. One of these is the Construction Products Regulation, governing building materials which often have very...
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